Shadows deepened behind the ornate throne, writhing and pulsing with unnatural life. Gribble stepped from the inky void, his muscular goblin form a stark contrast to the gilded opulence of the human capital's throne room. His yellow eyes gleamed with triumph as he surveyed his surroundings.

Polished marble floors reflected the warm glow of countless candles in crystal chandeliers overhead. Tapestries depicting heroic deeds of human kings past adorned the walls, their rich colors muted in the flickering light. The air hung heavy with the scent of beeswax and incense.

King Aldric Lightbringer sat upon the massive golden throne, its back carved with intricate scenes of human history. The human monarch's eyes widened in shock as he registered Gribble's sudden appearance. In an instant, Aldric was on his feet, his weathered face hardening into a mask of grim determination.

Aldric's hand moved to the hilt of the sword at his hip. As his fingers closed around the grip, the weapon sprang to life. Brilliant white light poured from the blade, pushing back the shadows that clung to Gribble's form. The radiance stung the Dark King's eyes, forcing him to squint against its intensity.

Guards stationed around the room cried out in alarm. The clatter of armor filled the air as they reached for their weapons, whirling to face the unexpected intruder. Courtiers gasped and scrambled backwards, pressing themselves against the walls. The rustle of expensive silks and velvets mingled with the panicked whispers of the nobility.

Gribble's lips curled into a sneer, revealing sharp teeth. The fear radiating from the humans was intoxicating. He breathed deeply, savoring the acrid tang of their terror. His clawed hands flexed at his sides, dark energy crackling between his fingers.

Aldric's voice cut through the chaos, ringing with authority. Stand down. This creature has chosen to face me alone. Its death will be by my hand.

The human king's eyes never left Gribble as he spoke, his gaze burning with righteous fury. Gribble met that stare, unflinching. For a heartbeat, the two rulers stood locked in silent confrontation, each recognizing the other as their greatest threat.

Without warning, Gribble vanished. His form blurred into a streak of motion, flickering in and out of existence around the cavernous chamber. The blink ability he'd acquired allowed him to cover vast distances in the blink of an eye, confounding the human guards who struggled to track his movements.

Shouts of confusion echoed off the vaulted ceiling as Gribble appeared and disappeared in rapid succession. One moment he crouched atop a marble pillar, the next he stood in the shadowy alcove behind a tapestry. Each time he materialized, it was closer to the throne where Aldric stood.

The human king remained calm in the face of this dizzying display. His eyes darted across the room with practiced ease, anticipating Gribble's attacks. When the Dark King finally lunged, materializing mere feet from Aldric with claws extended, the human was ready.

Dawnbringer flashed through the air, its blessed edge singing as it cleaved the space where Gribble had been a heartbeat before. The goblin's inhuman reflexes allowed him to twist away from the lethal strike, but not before the holy weapon grazed his arm.

Pain lanced through Gribble's flesh as the sword's divine energy seared him. The wound was shallow, but it burned with an intensity that his supernatural healing struggled to overcome. Gribble snarled, more in anger than pain, and struck back with lightning speed.

His claws raked across Aldric's breastplate, leaving deep furrows in the polished metal. Sparks flew as goblin talons met human craftsmanship. The impact sent tremors up Gribble's arm, a testament to the strength of the king's armor.

Aldric stumbled back a step, his free hand rising to touch the scored metal protecting his chest. His eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face at the sheer strength behind Gribble's attack. But the human king's shock lasted only an instant before his features hardened once more into a mask of determination.

Dawnbringer swept through the air again, its blazing edge leaving trails of light that seared Gribble's shadow-attuned eyes. The Dark King was forced to blink away, putting distance between himself and the holy weapon. He reappeared on the opposite side of the throne room, chest heaving as he reassessed his opponent.

Aldric was proving to be a more formidable foe than Gribble had anticipated. The human king's combat skills were honed by years of experience, his movements efficient and precise. And that cursed sword... its very presence seemed to push back the shadows Gribble had come to rely on.

A low growl rumbled in Gribble's throat as he considered his next move. Physical attacks alone would not be enough to overcome this adversary. It was time to unleash more of his arcane arsenal.

Energy crackled across Gribble's skin as he called upon his blue electric ability. Arcs of cerulean lightning danced between his fingertips, casting an eerie glow across his green flesh. The air grew thick with the scent of ozone, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

With a snarl of effort, Gribble thrust his hands forward. Bolts of crackling electricity erupted from his palms, streaking across the throne room toward King Aldric. The attack illuminated the chamber in strobing flashes of blue-white light, momentarily overwhelming the steady glow of Dawnbringer.

Aldric's eyes widened at the sight of the oncoming onslaught. But even as the first bolts of lightning reached him, the human king was moving. His free hand rose, fingers splayed wide as he called upon his own mystical energies.

A shimmering barrier of golden light sprang into existence before Aldric. The magical shield crackled with holy power, its surface rippling like water as Gribble's lightning struck it. The two forces clashed in a spectacular display, filling the air with the smell of scorched stone and sanctified air.

Stray bolts of electricity ricocheted off Aldric's barrier, striking the ornate pillars that lined the throne room. Chunks of marble exploded outward, peppering the cowering courtiers with stinging shrapnel. Scorch marks bloomed across the polished floor, the heat of Gribble's attack leaving the stone blackened and cracked.

Through the maelstrom of competing energies, Gribble could see Aldric grimacing with effort. Sweat beaded on the human king's brow as he poured more of his holy power into maintaining the protective shield. It was clear that while Aldric possessed great strength, sustaining such a defense was taking its toll.

Gribble pressed his advantage, increasing the intensity of his electric assault. The air itself seemed to vibrate with the clash of opposing magics. Courtiers coughed and covered their faces, struggling to breathe in the acrid atmosphere. Even the stalwart guards, trained to remain stoic in the face of danger, shifted uneasily as the very fabric of reality warped around the dueling monarchs.

For long moments, neither combatant gained a clear advantage. Gribble's lightning continued to batter against Aldric's golden barrier, neither able to fully overcome the other. It was a stalemate born of raw power, a testament to the strength of both Dark King and Human ruler.

But such equilibrium could not last forever. As the seconds stretched into minutes, Gribble began to sense a change in the flow of battle. Aldric's movements grew incrementally slower, the strain of maintaining his defenses evident in the tightening of his jaw and the trembling of his outstretched arm.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Gribble allowed himself a feral grin. The human king was strong, yes, but he was still mortal. Fatigue would claim him long before it touched the Dark King's supernatural endurance. Victory was simply a matter of time.

Yet even as this realization dawned on Gribble, he saw something shift in Aldric's eyes. The weariness that had begun to creep into the human's gaze was burned away, replaced by a fire that spoke of unshakable resolve. Aldric took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as if shrugging off the weight of his exertions.

The human king's voice rang out, clear and strong despite the cacophony of battle. Your dark powers will not prevail here, creature. The light always finds a way to pierce the deepest shadow.

With those words, Aldric's holy barrier flared with renewed brilliance. The golden light intensified, pushing back against Gribble's electric onslaught with increasing force. Slowly but surely, the tide of battle began to turn.

Gribble snarled in frustration as he felt his attack being repelled. He poured more of his own energy into the lightning, but it was like trying to fill a bottomless pit. No matter how much power he unleashed, Aldric's defenses seemed to absorb it without faltering.

The Dark King was forced to cut off his electric assault, the drain on his reserves growing too great to sustain. As the last arcs of blue lightning faded, Aldric lowered his shield. The human king stood tall, Dawnbringer held at the ready as he faced Gribble once more.

For a moment, silence fell over the ravaged throne room. The acrid stench of ozone hung heavy in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood where flying debris had struck unfortunate bystanders. Scorch marks marred the once-pristine walls and floor, testament to the ferocity of the magical duel.

Gribble's mind raced as he reassessed the situation. Aldric had proven far more resilient than expected, able to match the Dark King's supernatural abilities with his own holy powers. A new strategy would be needed if Gribble hoped to emerge victorious from this confrontation.

Before the Dark King could formulate his next move, Aldric seized the initiative. The human monarch closed his eyes, his expression one of intense concentration. The air around him began to shimmer with golden light, as if reality itself was bending to his will.

Gribble tensed, readying himself for whatever attack might be coming. He could sense the buildup of immense energy, far greater than anything Aldric had displayed thus far. The very hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, his instincts screaming a warning.

When Aldric's eyes snapped open, they blazed with an inner radiance that spoke of divine favor. That holy energy flowed into Dawnbringer, causing the blessed sword to shine even brighter than before. The intensity of the light forced Gribble to squint, his shadow-attuned vision struggling to cope with the overwhelming brilliance.

Aldric's voice rang out, filled with the weight of command and the promise of judgment. Your reign of darkness ends here, goblin. Face the fury of the light!

With those words, the human king brought Dawnbringer slashing downwards in a devastating arc. A wave of pure holy energy erupted from the blade, expanding outward in a blinding flash. The radiant onslaught roared across the throne room, scouring away shadows and leaving afterimages burned into the eyes of all who witnessed it.

Gribble had only an instant to react. Drawing upon his supernatural speed, he threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the brunt of Aldric's attack. Even so, the edges of the holy wave caught him, searing his flesh with divine fire.

Pain lanced through Gribble's body as he crashed to the floor, rolling to put more distance between himself and the human king. His skin smoked where Aldric's power had touched him, the wounds resisting his usual rapid healing. For the first time since the battle began, a flicker of doubt crept into the Dark King's mind.

Aldric pressed his advantage, advancing on Gribble with Dawnbringer held high. The human king's face was a mask of righteous determination, his every movement radiating the confidence of one who believes their cause to be just. The courtiers who had cowered at the edges of the room now cheered, their voices rising in a chorus of support for their monarch.

Gribble snarled, pushing himself to his feet despite the pain that wracked his body. He would not be defeated so easily, not when he had come so far. The Dark King reached deep within himself, calling upon reserves of power he had not yet tapped.

Shadows began to coalesce around Gribble's form, drawn to him like moths to a flame. The darkness deepened, becoming almost solid as it wrapped around the goblin's limbs. Gribble felt his strength returning, the shadows knitting his wounds and dulling the burning touch of Aldric's holy magic.

As Aldric closed in for what he surely thought would be the final blow, Gribble made his move. The Dark King seemed to melt into the pooling shadows at his feet, his form becoming insubstantial. He flowed across the floor like living darkness, passing right through Aldric's legs before reforming behind the human king.

Aldric whirled, eyes wide with shock at this new display of power. But his warrior's instincts did not desert him, and Dawnbringer was already sweeping around in a defensive arc. Gribble was forced to leap backwards, the blessed blade passing mere inches from his chest.

The two rulers faced each other once more, the momentum of the battle having shifted yet again. Aldric's holy assault had been formidable, but Gribble's mastery over shadow had allowed him to survive and counter. It was clear to both combatants that this fight was far from over.

Gribble flexed his clawed hands, dark energy crackling between his fingers. The pain from Aldric's attack had faded to a dull ache, his supernatural healing finally overcoming the lingering effects of the holy magic. A savage grin spread across the Dark King's face, baring sharp teeth in a challenge.

Aldric met Gribble's gaze unflinchingly, Dawnbringer held at the ready. The human king's chest heaved with exertion, sweat glistening on his brow, but his eyes burned with undiminished resolve. When he spoke, his voice carried to every corner of the ravaged throne room.

You fight well, creature of darkness. But know this - so long as I draw breath, I will not allow your evil to spread across these lands.

Gribble's response was a guttural laugh, cold and mocking. Your breath can be stopped, human. And when it is, your lands will fall like all the others.

With those words, the battle was joined once more. Gribble launched himself at Aldric, claws extended and wreathed in crackling shadows. The human king met the charge head-on, Dawnbringer flashing as it swept up to parry the Dark King's strike.

The clash of claw against blessed steel rang out, a discordant note that seemed to make the very air vibrate. Sparks flew as shadow-infused talons scraped along Dawnbringer's gleaming length, neither combatant willing to give ground.

For long moments, Gribble and Aldric remained locked in this contest of strength. The Dark King's supernatural might strained against the human monarch's skill and holy-empowered muscles. Veins stood out on Aldric's neck as he fought to hold Gribble at bay, while the goblin's teeth were bared in a grimace of effort.

Abruptly, Gribble disengaged, leaping backward with inhuman agility. Before Aldric could press the advantage, the Dark King vanished in a burst of shadowy energy. He reappeared an instant later behind the human king, lashing out with a vicious kick aimed at Aldric's exposed back.

But Aldric was not so easily caught off guard. The human monarch whirled, bringing Dawnbringer up in a defensive sweep that forced Gribble to abort his attack. The goblin's foot passed harmlessly over Aldric's head as he threw himself into a backward flip, putting distance between himself and the lethal blade.

No sooner had Gribble's feet touched the ground than he was moving again. The Dark King became a blur of motion, blinking rapidly around the throne room. Each time he materialized, it was in a different position relative to Aldric. One moment he was at the king's left, the next at his right, then behind him, then above.

Aldric spun in place, Dawnbringer flashing as he struggled to keep Gribble in sight. The human king's face was a mask of concentration, his eyes darting to and fro as he attempted to anticipate where the next attack would come from. Sweat beaded on his brow, a testament to the strain of maintaining such hypervigilance.

Gribble reveled in the confusion his speed was causing. He could see the growing frustration in Aldric's eyes, the slight hesitation before each defensive move. The Dark King allowed himself a predatory grin. It was only a matter of time before the human made a mistake.

That moment came sooner than Gribble had dared hope. As he materialized to Aldric's left, the human king pivoted to face him, bringing Dawnbringer around in a sweeping arc. But Gribble was already gone, blinking away before the blessed blade could find its mark.

In that split second of overextension, Gribble struck. He reappeared directly behind Aldric, claws slashing towards the exposed back of the human king's neck. Triumph surged through the Dark King as he felt his talons connect with flesh.

But Gribble's victory was short-lived. Even as his claws raked across Aldric's skin, a brilliant flash of golden light erupted from the human king's body. The radiance seared Gribble's eyes and sent him staggering backward, hissing in pain and surprise.

When his vision cleared, Gribble saw Aldric standing tall, a shimmering aura of holy energy surrounding him like a second skin. Blood trickled from the shallow wounds on the back of his neck, but the human king's face showed no sign of pain. Instead, his eyes blazed with renewed determination.

You'll find I'm not so easily felled, creature, Aldric growled, his voice resonating with power. The light protects its own.